The SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk and the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda agreed practical steps to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Japan in responding to common threats.

The partners discussed counteraction to russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, information security, cyber threats and international terrorism.

‘We seek to deepen cooperation with the law enforcement and special services of Japan and will be happy to share our unique experience in countering russia’s armed and hybrid aggression,’ Vasyl Maliuk emphasized.

The SSU Head thanked the Government of Japan for consistent assistance to the Ukrainian people and for massive sanctions against russia and belarus.

In his turn, Kuninori Matsuda noted that such support would continue.

‘The Japanese Government and the entire people of Japan are ready to comprehensively assist until real peace returns to Ukraine. Following the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to Ukraine and the meeting with the President of Ukraine, a new stage of relations between our states has begun - a special global partnership. Its first step is concluding the Agreement on Information Protection,’ the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine informed.

The parties discussed preparations for the signing of this international agreement.

Ambassador Matsuda also underscored that Japan highly appreciates the professionalism of the SSU officers and all Ukrainian defenders.

‘The SSU, together with the Defence Forces, is at the forefront of protecting the territorial integrity and independence of our country. Our priorities are counterintelligence and performing operational and combat missions,’ Vasyl Maliuk said.

The SSU Head added that another major line of the SSU’s work is investigating war crimes committed by the occupiers. Currently, the Service is investigating over 43,000 criminal proceedings on russia’s war crimes.